Cocktail & Other Recipes By Spirit Gin Cocktails

Muddled Pine

Written by
Carmen Polcyn
Updated 11/16/16
Image: Tim Nusog

Nothing says winter holidays like a pine-themed drink. This one by bartender Carmen Polcyn at the now-closed Bar Toma in Chicago also utilizes cranberries and lemon, making it even more festive. Sip the nonalcoholic version all day, or make the cocktail at night for a cool, yet warming, seasonal tipple.

Ingredients

  • Angostura bitters
  • 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz Pine syrup*
  • 15 Fresh cranberries
  • 1 oz Gin or vodka
  • 1/2 oz Lemon-lime soda
  • Garnish: Cranberries
  • Garnish: Pine sprig

Steps

  1. Add the bitters, lemon juice, pine syrup and cranberries to a shaker, and muddle the cranberries.

  2. Add the gin or vodka (optional) and ice, and shake until chilled.

  3. Strain into a rocks glass over ice, and top with the lemon-lime soda.

  4. Garnish with 3 cranberries and a sprig of pine.

  5. *Pine syrup: Bring 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to a boil until dissolved. Reduce heat to low, and add a handful of chopped pine needles. Stir and remove from heat, and let sit for 2 hours. Strain and refrigerate. Keeps up to 3 weeks.